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Stories from SlateThe Washington Post, the Concorde’s Heir, and Coke Versus Pepsihttp://www.slate.com/articles/briefing/cocktail_chatter/2013/08/the_washington_post_the_concorde_s_heir_and_coke_versus_pepsi_the_week_s.html
<p>“<a href="http://www.slate.com/articles/technology/technology/2013/08/jeff_bezos_can_save_the_washington_post_why_amazon_s_great_innovator_could.html">If Anyone Can Save the <em>Washington Post</em>, It’s Jeff Bezos</a>:<strong> </strong>The newspaper now has an owner who’s a master of finding new ways of selling old things,” by Farhad Manjoo. Although billionaire Bezos doesn’t have the journalistic clout of the Graham family, Manjoo argues that Bezos’ patience and willingness to create new business models is exactly what the industry needs. Also in <strong><em>Slate</em></strong>, David Auerbach <a href="http://www.slate.com/articles/technology/technology/2013/08/jeff_bezos_plans_for_the_washington_post_how_he_could_amazon_ify_the_newspaper.html">hypothesizes</a> about how the Kindle could allow for a new kind of personalized newspaper.<br /> </p>
<p>“<a href="http://www.slate.com/articles/technology/future_tense/2013/08/sigurdur_thordarson_icelandic_wikileaks_volunteer_turned_fbi_informant.html">WikiLeaks’ Teenage Benedict Arnold:</a> How the FBI used a baby-faced WikiLeaks volunteer to spy on Julian Assange,” by Ryan Gallagher. Sigurdur Thordarson, a 20-year-old from Iceland, was a member of Julian Assange’s inner circle until he betrayed Assange’s trust to pass “troves” of information on to the FBI. Gallagher takes us through the extraordinary story of how Thordarson went from WikiLeaks volunteer to full-blown FBI informant.</p>
<p>“<a href="http://www.slate.com/articles/sports/sports_nut/2013/08/washington_redskins_nickname_why_slate_will_stop_referring_to_the_nfl_team.html">The Washington _________</a>: Why <strong><em>Slate</em></strong><em> </em>will no longer refer to Washington’s NFL team as the Redskins,” by David Plotz. <strong><em>Slate</em></strong> is officially scratching the anachronistic and offensive name of Washington’s football team from our style guide, and the<em> New Republic</em> and <em>Mother Jones</em> have decided to join us. Plotz presents the reasoning behind the decision here and explains why matters of diction are far from superficial.</p>
<p>“<a href="http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/jurisprudence/2013/08/ken_cuccinelli_s_sodomy_obsession_the_frightening_legal_implications_of.html">Ken Cuccinelli’s Sodomy Obsession</a>: The frightening legal implications of the Virginia politician’s crusade against oral and anal sex,” by Dahlia Lithwick. Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli is trying to reinstate an anti-sodomy law by promising that the law, which is written to outlaw all anal and oral sex, is constitutional if interpreted to apply only to 16- and 17-year-olds. Lithwick explains how Cuccinelli’s push has worrisome legal implications that have been largely overlooked by those too busy snickering at the attorney general’s apparent fixation with oral and anal sex.</p>
<p>“<a href="http://www.slate.com/articles/health_and_science/science/2013/08/can_gmo_corn_cause_allergies_don_t_believe_elle_s_scary_story.html">No, You Shouldn’t Fear GMO Corn</a>: How <em>Elle</em> botched a story about genetically modified food,” by Jon Entine. <a href="http://www.elle.com/beauty/health-fitness/allergy-to-genetically-modified-corn"><em>Elle </em>published a story</a> last week that reignited the debate on genetically modified foods. Entine argues that most of the article’s claims are unsubstantiated, and he explains why anecdotes like that one should not shape our attitude toward GMOs.</p>
<p>“<a href="http://www.slate.com/articles/health_and_science/transportation/2013/08/will_the_skylon_be_the_new_concorde_the_obstacles_for_supersonic_planes.html">The Concorde’s Cousins</a>: Why there hasn’t been a successor to the aviation world’s greatest engineering marvel and probably won’t be any time soon,” by Jeremy Stahl. Ten years after the Concorde’s retirement, there’s still no viable replacement. Stahl explains why with a look at contenders for aviation’s “new Concorde” and why none of them will work—at least, not for now.<br /> </p>
<p>“<a href="http://www.slate.com/articles/business/rivalries/2013/08/pepsi_paradox_why_people_prefer_coke_even_though_pepsi_wins_in_taste_tests.html">Sweet Sorrow</a>: Coke won the cola wars because great taste takes more than a single sip,” by Matthew Yglesias. As part of <strong><em>Slate</em></strong>’s <a href="http://www.slate.com/articles/business/rivalries/2013/08/_tech_giants_bone_wars_and_sports_franchises_a_special_series_on_the_greatest.html">series on rivalries</a>, Yglesias takes us through the history of Coke versus Pepsi. Yglesias recounts Pepsi’s 1980s campaign, the Pepsi Challenge, which sought to solve the Coke-Pepsi conundrum though a famous double-blind experiment. Researchers found that despite Coke’s predominance in the marketplace, Pepsi consistently came out on top in the lab. Yglesias sets out to explain why Coke trumps Pepsi despite that curious phenomenon.<br /> </p>
<p>“<a href="http://www.slate.com/articles/life/transport/2013/08/flight_delay_tips_how_to_get_home_faster_when_your_airplane_is_late.html">Your Flight’s Delayed!</a>: Here are 11 ways—several of which are very sneaky—to get home faster,” by Amy Webb. Frequent travelers, rejoice! Here’s a list of ways to play the (airport) system in order to avoid flight delays and cancellations.</p>
<p>“<a href="http://www.slate.com/articles/double_x/doublex/2013/07/nina_pillard_s_senate_judiciary_committee_hearing_republican_senators_try.html">Cry of the Republican Male Senator</a>: Nina Pillard is Obama’s choice for D.C. Circuit Court judge. Nina Pillard is a liberal woman. Ergo Nina Pillard is a radical feminist,” by Dahlia Lithwick. During Nina Pillard’s confirmation hearing this week for the D.C. Circuit Court, right-wing lawmakers and media lambasted her for her radical feminism. Not an altogether surprising reaction from Republicans, except that Pillard’s work toward gender equality can in no way be described as “radical.” Lithwick describes the way Senate Republicans have branded Pillard an “out of the mainstream” feminist and why her career has no evidence for these ridiculous charges.</p>
<p>“<a href="http://www.slate.com/articles/double_x/doublex/2013/08/buying_a_car_online_women_should_do_it.html">Buying a Car Online</a>: You should do it. Especially if you’re a woman,” by Libby Copeland. Why deal with a pushy car salesman when you just can buy your car online? Copeland, who just purchased her own car online, expounds on the many benefits of virtual auto purchases and explains why this option is particularly beneficial to women.</p>Sat, 10 Aug 2013 10:12:00 GMThttp://www.slate.com/articles/briefing/cocktail_chatter/2013/08/the_washington_post_the_concorde_s_heir_and_coke_versus_pepsi_the_week_s.htmlCiara McCarthyMariana Zepeda2013-08-10T10:12:00ZThis week’s most interesting <strong><em>Slate</em></strong> stories.briefingThe
<em>Washington Post</em>, the Concorde’s Heir, and Coke Versus Pepsi: The Week's Most Interesting
<strong><em>Slate</em></strong> Stories100130810001cocktail chatterCiara McCarthyMariana ZepedaCocktail Chatterhttp://www.slate.com/articles/briefing/cocktail_chatter/2013/08/the_washington_post_the_concorde_s_heir_and_coke_versus_pepsi_the_week_s.htmlfalsefalsefalseThe <em>Washington Post</em>, the Concorde’s Heir, and Coke Versus Pepsi: The Week's Most Interesting <strong><em>Slate</em></strong> StoriesThe <em>Washington Post</em>, the Concorde’s Heir, and Coke Versus Pepsi: The Week's Most Interesting <strong><em>Slate</em></strong> StoriesPhoto by Brendan Smialowski/AFP/Getty ImagesThe <em>Washington Post</em> announced Monday that Amazon.com founder and CEO Jeff Bezos agreed to purchase the paper for $250 million.The Promise and Peril of Gossip Girl Acapulcohttp://www.slate.com/blogs/browbeat/2013/08/05/gossip_girl_acapulco_premiere_on_univision_the_mexican_adaptation_has_potential.html
<p>Tonight sees the premiere of <em>Gossip Girl</em>’s Mexican spin-off, <em>Gossip Girl Acapulco</em>. As fans of the show may know, this is not the first <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gossip_girl#International_adaptations">international adaptation of the series</a>. And if you haven’t been to Acapulco lately, transplanting an American series about well-to-do teens on the Upper East Side to a spot once famous for attracting <a href="http://travel.nytimes.com/2008/03/02/travel/02acapulco.html?pagewanted=all&amp;_r=0">Frank Sinatra and the Rat Pack</a>, John and Jackie Kennedy—and even, more recently, Bill and Hillary Clinton—may not seem odd.</p>
<p>But people who actually live in the area or know Mexico well are well aware that such past glamour has long since faded. In the late ’60s and ’70s, new buildings cropped up and the older ones lost their grandeur and glitz, and beaches like Cancun and Los Cabos rose to international prominence. Acapulco began to cater mostly to local visitors. In the last few years, especially, ever since Mexican authorities took down cartel leader Arturo Beltr&aacute;n Leyva in Cuernavaca, drug wars have roiled the city. Beltr&aacute;n Leyva reigned over Acapulco and its surroundings, and his death left a dangerous power void; in the months that followed his capture, violence escalated as different cartels vied for dominance of the port city.</p>
<p>Today, on its website, the U.S. Department of State advises American travelers who visit Acapulco to “exercise caution and stay within tourist areas,” recommending that they avoid the older La Costera area of Sinatra’s time in lieu of the newly developed Zona Diamante in the southern part of the city. Even locals are careful—and many have simply stopped going to Acapulco at all. As the <em>New York</em> <em>Observer</em>’s Anna Silman said about <em>Gossip Girl Acapulco</em>, “Let’s hope this new round of <em>Gossip Girl</em> only sees Blair losing her virginity, and, not, on top of it, her head.”</p>
<p>A cheap shot, perhaps, but not entirely off-base. Indeed, the launch of <em>Gossip Girl Acapulco</em> is explicitly meant to counter the city’s violent image. Guerrero, the state that Acapulco is in, is <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OX1vc24m3Jk">footing part of the bill</a> for the show. Though government sponsorships are not uncommon in Mexican television, <em>Gossip Girl Acapulco</em> is expected to reach more audiences than your average telenovela—and, in doing so, promote its titular home city. The <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Br-Z5TyM10Y">trailer</a>, which came out earlier this year, introduces a cast of actors that look strikingly similar to the American cast and a script that seems to be a word-by-word translation of the <em>Gossip Girl</em> pilot. Except, of course, that instead of emerging from a train in Central Station, &nbsp;Sof&iacute;a L&oacute;pez-Haro—Serena van der Woodsen’s Mexican counterpart—drives up to her house in a convertible BMW, screen down, pouting under the glare of the hot tropical sun.</p>
<p>There is more to Mexico than the drug war. There is more to any country than what consistently makes international headlines. But the Guerrero government has made an odd investment here: Supplanting the violent image of Acapulco with one of excessive luxury only highlights the inequalities that taint Mexico’s socioeconomic landscape.</p>
<p>On the other hand, therein lies the show’s opportunity. Yes, <em>Gossip Girl</em> <em>Acapulco </em>could glamorize inequality—or it could offer biting social commentary. And Pedro Torres, who is producing the series, is certainly capable of such social commentary: His highly acclaimed show <em><a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005IQGNTS/?tag=slatmaga-20">Mujeres Asesinas</a></em> (<em>Killer Women</em>), an adaptation of an Argentine thriller, centered on a team of detectives who solved crimes committed by women. The show was groundbreaking in its nuanced examination of the emotional pressures that women face in Mexican society.</p>
<p><em></em></p>
<p><em>Gossip Girl Acapulco</em> will have even more opportunities to comment on stifling social tensions, given its potential for widespread popularity. The show, which finished filming a few weeks ago, is expected to be a primetime success. Will Torres stick to the script, or will he wield the show’s popularity to make a point about Mexico’s elites? I, for one, will be tuning in to find out—if, that is, I find I can actually stomach a rewatch of <em>Gossip Girl</em>.</p>Mon, 05 Aug 2013 16:40:34 GMThttp://www.slate.com/blogs/browbeat/2013/08/05/gossip_girl_acapulco_premiere_on_univision_the_mexican_adaptation_has_potential.htmlMariana Zepeda2013-08-05T16:40:34ZArts<em>Gossip Girl Acapulco</em> Sounds Terrible, But It Has Promise205130805004televisionMariana ZepedaBrow BeatBrow Beathttp://www.slate.com/blogs/browbeat/2013/08/05/gossip_girl_acapulco_premiere_on_univision_the_mexican_adaptation_has_potential.htmlfalsefalsefalse<em>Gossip Girl Acapulco</em> Sounds Terrible, But It Has Promise<em>Gossip Girl Acapulco</em> Sounds Terrible, But It Has Promise1573544573001AQ~~,AAAAAASoY90~,_gW1ZHvKG_32pgUEqRpmoQCcoJTPYoje25866330330011573544573001AQ~~,AAAAAASoY90~,_gW1ZHvKG_32pgUEqRpmoQCcoJTPYoje25866330330011573544573001AQ~~,AAAAAASoY90~,_gW1ZHvKG_32pgUEqRpmoQCcoJTPYoje25866330330011573544573001AQ~~,AAAAAASoY90~,_gW1ZHvKG_32pgUEqRpmoQCcoJTPYoje2586633033001UnivisionWill Pedro Torres turn <em>Gossip Girl Acapulco </em>into biting social commentary?Bradley Manning, Clinton Fatigue, and the NSAhttp://www.slate.com/articles/briefing/cocktail_chatter/2013/08/bradley_manning_clinton_fatigue_and_the_nsa_the_week_s_most_interesting.html
<p>“<a href="http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/war_stories/2013/07/bradley_manning_wasn_t_guilty_of_treason.html">A Moderate Verdict</a>: The Bradley Manning verdict and the failure of prosecutorial overreach,” by Fred Kaplan. On Tuesday, Bradley Manning was pronounced not guilty of “aiding the enemy,” a capital crime that would have earned him life imprisonment. Manning will still spend time behind bars for other crimes, but the military court’s decision to absolve him of this charge sets an important precedent for reporters and leakers. Kaplan examines the prosecution’s approach, arguing that prosecutorial overreach might have shaped Manning’s verdict.</p>
<p>“<a href="http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/politics/2013/07/hillary_clinton_fatigue_will_the_constant_drama_around_the_former_secretary.html">The Danger of Clinton Fatigue</a>: Hillary Clinton invites drama, even when she does nothing at all. Will voters tire of it before 2016 rolls around? Will she?” by John Dickerson. It’s hard to find an article on the Weiner scandal that doesn’t draw parallels between Huma Abedin and Hillary Clinton. Dickerson argues that the media’s eagerness to draw Hillary into the equation only feeds the media hype surrounding the former secretary of state. As this rate, will the public grow tired of Clinton before she even decides to run for president?</p>
<p>“<a href="http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/frame_game/2013/08/nsa_technology_oversight_and_audits_show_us_real_barriers_to_abuse.html?wpisrc=flyouts">Laws Are Not Enough</a>: Stop telling us what the NSA can’t do to us legally. Show us real barriers to abuse,” by William Saletan. When Eric Snowden leaked the details of the NSA’s surveillance program, the public was stunned by the government’s oversight capacity. Government officials have, however, emphasized the existence of legal limits to data access. Saletan calls on the NSA to release all existing barriers to abuse, as we have a right to know exactly what “checks and balances” are in place to protect us. Elsewhere in <strong><em>Slate</em></strong>, Jamel Jaffer and Brett Max Kaufman penned this <a href="http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/politics/2013/07/nsa_lexicon_how_james_clapper_and_other_u_s_officials_mislead_the_american.html">handy guide</a> on how to decipher the vague language of U.S. intelligence officials.</p>
<p>“<a href="http://www.slate.com/articles/double_x/doublex/2013/07/i_was_raped_at_55_here_is_how_i_responded.html">Rape Myths</a>: I was raped at 55. Here is how I responded,” by Beverly Donofrio. Why don’t rape victims scream for help? In this harrowing account, Donofrio describes her reaction to her own rape and notes that while keeping quiet during a robbery is often seen as “coolheaded intelligence,” this is rarely the case with rape and suggests that women have internalized the idea that “if it happened to them they must have at some deep, subconscious level caused, invited, even wanted it to happen.”</p>
<p>“<a href="http://www.slate.com/articles/health_and_science/science/2013/07/height_and_longevity_the_research_is_clear_being_tall_is_hazardous_to_your.html?wpisrc=flyouts">I Wish I Was a Little Bit Shorter:</a> The research is clear: Being tall is hazardous to your health,” by Brian Palmer. The advantages of height are well-documented: tall people tend to have higher IQs and earn more money than their shorter colleagues. Studies linking height and success reveal a correlation between these two variables, but they are far from definitive. In fact, Palmer argues, it’s probably safe to say that even if tall people are generally more successful, it is not their height that makes them so. But the “evidence linking height to life-threatening disorders should give us all pause,” as “the fact that tall people die younger appears to be an immutable physical reality.”</p>
<p>“<a href="http://www.slate.com/articles/double_x/doublex/2013/07/sara_kushnick_lost_her_whole_family_but_persevered.html">Post-Tragedy</a>: I once knew a girl who lost her whole family before she finished high school. I decided to see what happened to her,” by Emily Yoffe. Sara Kushnick lost her brother to AIDS and her father, and mother to cancer, all before she turned 17. Yoffe first met Kushnick, who now goes by Sara Gorfinkel 20 years ago and decided to find her this year. She finds that Gorfinkel has overcome many challenges to have a career and family and who can say “life is good.”<a href="http://www.slate.com/articles/arts/television/2013/07/abc_soaps_all_my_children_and_one_life_to_live_are_reborn_as_streaming_web.html"></a></p>
<p>&quot;<a href="http://www.slate.com/articles/arts/television/2013/07/abc_soaps_all_my_children_and_one_life_to_live_are_reborn_as_streaming_web.html">Soap Springs Eternal</a>: <em>All My Children</em>, <em>One Life to Live</em>, and the sweetly human act of caring about fictional characters,” by Willa Paskin. As the soap opera fixtures <em>All My Children</em> and <em>One Life to Live</em> attempt to rekindle their former glory as Web series, Paskin looks at the transition of soap opera through the history of television. She observes how the genre impacted the industry and how, although today’s soap audiences are a fraction of their former size, fans remain dedicated to these fictional characters because the genre “isn’t storytelling at its best, but it is storytelling at its purest.”</p>
<p> “<a href="http://www.slate.com/articles/technology/technology/2013/07/google_chromecast_review_the_dongle_is_ready_to_take_over_your_tv.html">Welcome to the Dongle</a>: Google’s Chromecast is fast, cheap, and ready to take over the world,” by Farhad Manjoo. Google’s newest product, Chromecast, doesn’t reinvent the wheel when it comes to streaming media to your TV But, according to Manjoo, it does this simple task so well, and it’s so cheap, that it’s an investment worth making.</p>
<p> “<a href="http://www.slate.com/articles/business/moneybox/2013/07/how_one_weird_trick_conquered_the_internet_what_happens_when_you_click_on.html">Prepare to Be Shocked!</a> What happens when you actually click on one of those “One Weird Trick” ads?,” by Alex Kaufman. Everyone’s encountered those unavoidable Internet proddings to reduce your belly fat and achieve perfect health via one miracle spice, and now they’re finally explained by Kaufman. Although the products these ads market may be of questionable efficacy, the lessons they reveal about why we click are fascinating.</p>
<p> “<a href="http://www.slate.com/articles/arts/music_box/2013/07/the_most_beautiful_melody_in_the_world_is_it_gershwin_brahms_the_beatles.html">The Most Beautiful Melody in the World</a>: You know it when you hear it,” by Jan Swafford. Although Swafford’s not going to definitively declare the world’s most beautiful melody, he will give insights into music and how we understand. If you’ve ever wondered what makes tunes hummable and what differentiates genres, Swafford has the answers.</p>Sat, 03 Aug 2013 10:00:00 GMThttp://www.slate.com/articles/briefing/cocktail_chatter/2013/08/bradley_manning_clinton_fatigue_and_the_nsa_the_week_s_most_interesting.htmlCiara McCarthyMariana Zepeda2013-08-03T10:00:00ZThis week’s most interesting <strong><em>Slate</em></strong> stories.briefingBradley Manning, Clinton Fatigue, and the NSA: Interesting
<em><strong>Slate</strong></em> Stories100130803001cocktail chattercocktail chatterCiara McCarthyMariana ZepedaCocktail Chatterhttp://www.slate.com/articles/briefing/cocktail_chatter/2013/08/bradley_manning_clinton_fatigue_and_the_nsa_the_week_s_most_interesting.htmlfalsefalsefalseBradley Manning, Clinton Fatigue, and the NSA: Interesting <em><strong>Slate</strong></em> StoriesBradley Manning, Clinton Fatigue, and the NSA: Interesting <em><strong>Slate</strong></em> StoriesPhoto by Alex Wong/Getty ImagesBradley Manning was found not guilty of aiding the enemy in his trial.Gateway Episodes: The Officehttp://www.slate.com/blogs/browbeat/2013/07/30/the_office_best_episode_is_office_olympics_skip_season_1_and_start_here.html
<p><em>Summer is here, the perfect time to catch up with a few of those shows everyone is always saying you should watch. But there are so many! How can you decide which to try?&nbsp;You need to find&nbsp;</em><a href="http://www.slate.com/topics/g/gateway_episodes.html"><em>the gateway episode</em></a><em>, one you can watch without any background knowledge and which will give you a real sense of the show—and whether you’ll like it.</em></p>
<p>When, a couple months ago, Pam Beesly Halpert (Jenna Fischer) offered her <a href="http://www.slate.com/blogs/browbeat/2013/05/17/the_office_finale_last_line_beauty_in_ordinary_things_best_sitcom_sign_off.html">final line</a>, and the camera cut to the office building where she had spent so much of her working life, I didn’t just cry: I sobbed.</p>
<p>I confess this slightly embarrassing response as someone who became a fan of <em><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0095R6206/ref=as_li_ss_til?tag=slatmaga-20&amp;camp=0&amp;creative=0&amp;linkCode=as4&amp;creativeASIN=B0095R6206&amp;adid=1N64TZ3AJCX366Y7MYF6&amp;">The Office</a></em> only recently—last summer, to be precise. As I zipped through nine seasons of the show, I grew to love the characters and their stories. Now I feel like an evangelist, wanting to make sure that anyone who gave the NBC series a pass during its run finally catches up with it now that it’s over.</p>
<p>But where to start?</p>
<p>Not with the first season, that’s for sure: <em>The Office</em> really only distinguished itself as a show about the American workplace—rather than a by-the-book adaptation of <a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005NHZAFK/ref=as_li_ss_til?tag=slatmaga-20&amp;camp=0&amp;creative=0&amp;linkCode=as4&amp;creativeASIN=B005NHZAFK&amp;adid=038HCR582QTDM9VQ2E68&amp;">the British original</a>—after working out a few kinks in its initial go-round. So start with Season 2, and specifically the third episode, “<a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000U5GO3M/ref=as_li_ss_til?tag=slatmaga-20&amp;camp=0&amp;creative=0&amp;linkCode=as4&amp;creativeASIN=B000U5GO3M&amp;adid=08S6BD81MAEG5TERSJY2&amp;">Office Olympics</a>,” which is referenced in the finale—for good reason. It contains all the elements that make <em>The Office</em> one of the best American sitcoms ever.</p>
<p>Spoilers follow (but come on, it’s a sitcom).</p>
<p>The episode opens with Michael Scott (Steve Carell), a regional manager for the Dunder Mifflin paper company, poised to become a first-time homeowner. His assistant Dwight (Rainn Wilson) offers to accompany him to sign the contract. But, much to the chagrin of Michael’s real-estate agent, Carol (Nancy Wall, Carell’s wife), the overbearing Dwight gets in impressionable Michael’s head. As Michael grows more and more daunted by the prospect of a 30-year mortgage, he masks his anxiety in typical Michael fashion, making excuses to back out of the deal—such as the lack of “attractive singles” in the neighborhood. “There’s a basic principle in real estate, that you should never be the best-looking person in the development,” he says.</p>
<p>For someone with an excessive (and even aggressive) desire to please the boss and be his “No. 2 guy,” Dwight is unfailingly superior. When Michael magnanimously offers to rent him a room in his new condo—to counterbalance what he just spent—Dwight underhandedly forces Michael to rescind the offer by being purposely demanding. (Afterward, he reveals to the audience that he owns a 60-acre beet farm, and would never consider living anywhere else.)</p>
<p>Meanwhile, back at the office, Jim surveys other Dunder Mifflin staffers to see if they, too, are dying of boredom on the job. And this is the series’ fundamental theme: <em>The Office</em> is, at its core, an ode to the monotony of office life. What’s underneath the accountant’s expense reports? The scoreboard for Hateball, a paper football game that Kevin (Brian Baumgartner) and Oscar (Oscar Nunez) have been playing for years. What are those mysterious noises coming from the Customer Service and Human Resources bullpen in the back? A game of Dunderball, which consists of bouncing a ball against the wall over the cubicles’ divider.</p>
<p>These games not only testify to everyone’s boredom, they also give viewers a feel for the personalities of the Dunder Mifflin employees. This is another hallmark of <em>The Office</em>: the way supporting characters like Kevin or Phyllis (Phyllis Smith) delight and dazzle even in episodes where they only get a few seconds of screen time.</p>
<p>Inspired by these games, our hero Jim sets up the Dunder Mifflin Olympics. Pam helps him out by making gold, silver, and bronze medals out of paper clips and yogurt caps. “The thing about Jim is, when he’s excited about something, like the Office Olympics, he gets really into it and he does a really great job,” Pam tells the off-screen documentary team. (<em>The Office</em> is, like many recent sitcoms, a mockumentary.) “But the problem with Jim is that he works here, so that hardly ever happens.”</p>
<p>Ever the killjoy, Angela (Angela Kinsey) rebuffs Pam’s invitation to join in the games, in the process highlighting the romantic tension between Jim and Pam, which is the emotional heart of the show. The only game she plays in the office, Angela tells Pam, is Pam Pong. “I count how many times Jim gets up from his desk and goes to reception to talk to you.” Pam’s blush speaks volumes.</p>
<p>The games end abruptly when Michael returns to the office. But as the episode comes to a close, Jim retrieves a downcast Michael from his office, inviting him to the closing ceremonies. Jim gives him the gold medal in honor of his new condo, and positions him atop a big box of fax paper. As the “Star Spangled Banner” plays, Pam sets off a line of paper doves, and Michael tears up—just like you probably will if you stick with this show to the end.</p>
<p><strong>Previous&nbsp;</strong><a href="http://www.slate.com/topics/g/gateway_episodes.html"><strong>Gateway Episodes</strong></a><br /> <em><a href="http://www.slate.com/blogs/browbeat/2013/07/23/bunheads_is_canceled_but_it_s_not_too_late_to_get_hooked_here_s_the_best.html">Bunheads</a><br /> <a href="http://www.slate.com/blogs/browbeat/2013/07/09/south_park_best_episode_ever_is_douche_and_turd_video.html">South Park</a></em><br /> <em><a href="http://www.slate.com/blogs/browbeat/2013/07/02/happy_endings_canceled_watch_the_series_now_starting_here.html">Happy Endings</a></em><em><br /> </em><a href="http://www.slate.com/blogs/browbeat/2013/06/25/x_files_best_episode_pusher_written_by_vince_gilligan_creator_of_breaking.html"><em>The X-Files</em></a><em><br /> </em><a href="http://www.slate.com/blogs/browbeat/2013/06/18/the_sopranos_best_episode_college_season_1_episode_5_is_the_place_to_start.html"><em>The Sopranos</em></a><em><br /> </em><a href="http://www.slate.com/blogs/browbeat/2013/06/11/gilmore_girls_best_episode_is_they_shoot_gilmores_don_t_they.html"><em>Gilmore Girls</em></a><em><br /> </em><a href="http://www.slate.com/blogs/browbeat/2013/06/04/veronica_mars_best_episode_wrath_of_con_will_get_you_to_catch_up_before.html"><em>Veronica Mars</em></a><em><br /> </em><a href="http://www.slate.com/blogs/browbeat/2013/05/21/deadwood_here_was_a_man_will_hook_you_on_the_great_hbo_western.html"><em>Deadwood</em></a><em><br /> </em><a href="http://www.slate.com/blogs/browbeat/2013/05/14/dr_who_best_episodes_city_of_death_written_by_douglas_adams_with_john_cleese.html"><em>Doctor Who</em></a><em><br /> </em><em><a href="http://www.slate.com/blogs/browbeat/2013/05/07/buffy_the_vampire_slayer_earshot_is_the_best_episode_to_watch_first.html">Buffy the Vampire Slayer</a></em></p>Tue, 30 Jul 2013 13:37:00 GMThttp://www.slate.com/blogs/browbeat/2013/07/30/the_office_best_episode_is_office_olympics_skip_season_1_and_start_here.htmlMariana Zepeda2013-07-30T13:37:00ZArtsNever Watched
<em>The Office</em>? Skip Season 1 and Start Here.205130730002gateway episodestelevisionMariana ZepedaBrow BeatBrow Beathttp://www.slate.com/blogs/browbeat/2013/07/30/the_office_best_episode_is_office_olympics_skip_season_1_and_start_here.htmlfalsefalsefalseNever Watched The Office? Skip Season 1 and Start Here. #GatewayEpisodesNever Watched <em>The Office</em>? Skip Season 1 and Start Here.NBCJohn Krasinski, Steve Carell, and Rainn WilsonCarlos Danger, Summer Camp, and Trouble in Hollywoodhttp://www.slate.com/articles/briefing/cocktail_chatter/2013/07/carlos_danger_summer_camp_and_trouble_in_hollywood_the_week_s_most_interesting.html
<p>&nbsp;“<a href="http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/frame_game/2013/07/anthony_weiner_timeline_his_sexual_deceptions_continued_in_2012_and_2013.html">The Anthony Weiner Timeline</a>: His sexual deceptions continued in 2012 and 2013. Here’s the proof,” by William Saletan. Saletan chronicles Weiner’s history of lies, sexts, scandals, and forays in and out of office in a helpful timeline. Also in <strong><em>Slate</em></strong>, Simon Doonan <a href="http://www.slate.com/articles/life/doonan/2013/07/anthony_weiner_s_amazing_fuckme_shoes_why_men_dig_women_in_high_heels.html">investigates</a> “shoegasms” and Weiner’s apparent fixation with women in heels, Katy Waldman offers a thoughtful contemplation of the <a href="http://www.slate.com/blogs/xx_factor/2013/07/24/anthony_weiner_crotch_shot_why_sexts_from_politicians_are_so_depressing.html">existential sadness of the crotch shot</a>, and Chris Kirk lets you join in the fun with the <a href="http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/low_concept/2013/07/carlos_danger_name_generator_use_our_widget_to_get_a_name_like_anthony_weiner.html">Carlos Danger name generator</a>, a helpful tool that spits out a sexting pseudonym custom made for you.</p>
<p>“<a href="http://www.slate.com/articles/sports/sports_nut/2013/07/deacon_white_hall_of_fame_he_invented_the_wind_up_popularized_the_catcher.html">The Hall of Famer</a>: Deacon White invented the wind-up, popularized the catcher's mask, and got the first hit in a professional baseball league. Now, he’s finally in Cooperstown,” by James B. Jackson. This weekend brings a new addition to the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown. Jackson recounts the life and career of his great-grandfather, legendary James “Deacon” White, known for inventing the wind-up and popularizing the catcher’s mask.<br /> </p>
<p>&nbsp;“<a href="http://www.slate.com/articles/life/family/2013/07/summer_camp_where_kids_grow_up_on_their_own_and_parents_back_home_stay_the.html">My Daughter Went Away to Camp and Changed</a>: How do I catch up?” by John Dickerson. Thirty-six years ago, Dickerson spent a summer in Camp Mishawaka. This year, his daughter was the camper, and Dickerson flew to Minnesota to pick her up. In this touching account of his visit to the camp, Dickerson relays his sense of nostalgia at returning to a familiar place and a daughter changed. He reflects on the bittersweet side of parenting: “You’re doing it best when you’re teaching them to leave you.”<br /> </p>
<p>&nbsp;“<a href="http://www.slate.com/articles/business/moneybox/2013/07/steven_spielberg_hollywood_imploding_how_he_predicted_a_disastrous_summer.html">Summer of the Mega-Flop</a>: Last month, Steven Spielberg predicted a Hollywood implosion. Do recent big-budget disasters already prove him right?” by Ben Kenigsberg. Back in June, Spielberg predicted a paradigm-shift that would force the movie industry to “rethink its reliance on gargantuan spectacles.” Is the “season of the &uuml;ber-flop” upon us? Kenigsberg discusses the most recent box-office flops and how they could change the way that Hollywood does business.</p>
<p>&nbsp;“<a href="http://www.slate.com/articles/double_x/doublex/2013/07/royal_baby_watch_kate_middleton_is_in_labor_and_it_s_totally_healthy_for.html">The Royal Baby Has Arrived!</a> Why it’s perfectly fine to obsess,” by Simon Akam. The international fascination with the royal family’s littlest addition is entirely acceptable. Akam argues that it’s much healthier to pry into Kate’s private life than to inquire into, say, Michelle Obama’s, because it’s important that we keep a healthy distance from public figures with actual power. Also in <strong><em>Slate</em></strong>, Hanna Rosin <a href="http://www.slate.com/articles/double_x/doublex/2013/07/royal_baby_boy_is_here_now_the_five_worst_things_about_being_heir_to_the.html">explains</a> why the royal baby’s rosy entrance into the world might not remain so perfect for the rest of his adolescence.<br /> </p>
<p>“<a href="http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/jurisprudence/2013/07/north_carolina_s_voter_id_law_is_the_worst_in_the_country.html">What’s the Matter With North Carolina?</a>: The state went from beacon of tolerance to bastion of voter suppression in a month,” by Dahlia Lithwick. Lawmakers in North Carolina are putting some insane bills through the state legislature, like legislation that caused 70,000 North Carolinians to lose their unemployment benefits and a proposed ban on nipples. But the worst of all? Veto-proof majorities, Lithwick explains. Thanks to the Supreme Court’s ruling on the Voting Rights Act, North Carolina is free to amend its voting laws at will. And that’s what it’s planning on doing: Lithwick describes a scary new bill in the state’s legislature that would tighten voter ID rules to hurt African-Americans, women, and Democrats.<br /> </p>
<p>&nbsp;“<a href="http://www.slate.com/articles/technology/technology/2013/07/new_gmail_inbox_how_to_use_tabs_to_clean_up_your_inbox_for_good.html">Inbox Hero</a>: The new Gmail is the best thing to happen to email since the old Gmail,” by Will Oremus. Gmail is launching its new and improved inbox, complete with tabs that will separate your primary, personal, and promotional emails into different pages. Despite all the griping from the tech community, Oremus thinks the switch is great. It sorts the pesky promotional emails so they won’t clog up your inbox, and returns email to its original intention: corresponding with people you actually know.</p>
<p>“<a href="http://www.slate.com/articles/business/moneybox/2013/07/summer_learning_loss_summer_vacation_hurts_kids_in_school_and_is_especially.html">Summer Vacation Is Evil</a>: Camp is fun, but taking school away makes inequality in America worse,” by Matthew Yglesias. Although many Americans harbor romantic notions of the idyllic summer vacation, Yglesias makes the case that we should abolish the tradition altogether. The practice of stopping a public service for three months is insane, he says, and exacerbates the education gap between low-income and high-income students. To allow all students access to equal education, we need to shell out the extra money to keep schools open year round.</p>
<p>“<a href="http://www.slate.com/articles/health_and_science/medical_examiner/2013/07/medication_during_pregnancy_drugs_should_be_tested_in_pregnant_women.html">Is It Safe to Take Medication While Pregnant?</a>: It isn’t unethical to test drugs on pregnant women. It’s unethical not to,” by Marina Kamenev. Researchers are often reluctant to enroll pregnant women in medical trials, which seems reasonable since the effects of medications on pregnancies remain unknown. Kamenev argues that researchers are actually endangering patients by failing to conduct the necessary research. Many mothers juggle pregnancy with other conditions such as diabetes or depression. Without a body of research to lean on, doctors simply do not know how to care for them. “The needs of the baby and the needs of the mother should not be mutually exclusive,” Kamenev claims.</p>
<p>“<a href="http://www.slate.com/articles/technology/technology/2013/07/instagram_and_self_esteem_why_the_photo_sharing_network_is_even_more_depressing.html">Selfie-Loathing</a>: Instagram is even more depressing than Facebook. Here’s why,” by Jessica Winter. We’ve heard a lot about the negative side effects of Facebook, but Winter argues that, in fact, “Facebook is not the frenemy with the most heads.” Instagram might just be worse for your self-esteem: It encourages users to spend inordinate amounts of time “curating and filtering” images only to find themselves on an “envy spiral” when faced with other seemingly effortless images. This image-driven social media platform only aggravates the woes of the “sad lurker.”</p>Sat, 27 Jul 2013 10:45:00 GMThttp://www.slate.com/articles/briefing/cocktail_chatter/2013/07/carlos_danger_summer_camp_and_trouble_in_hollywood_the_week_s_most_interesting.htmlCiara McCarthyMariana Zepeda2013-07-27T10:45:00ZThis week’s most interesting <strong><em>Slate</em></strong> stories.briefingSummer Camp, the Royal Baby, and Carlos Danger: Interesting
<strong><em>Slate</em></strong> Stories100130727001cocktail chatterCiara McCarthyMariana ZepedaCocktail Chatterhttp://www.slate.com/articles/briefing/cocktail_chatter/2013/07/carlos_danger_summer_camp_and_trouble_in_hollywood_the_week_s_most_interesting.htmlfalsefalsefalseSummer Camp, the Royal Baby, and Carlos Danger: Interesting <strong><em>Slate</em></strong> StoriesSummer Camp, the Royal Baby, and Carlos Danger: Interesting <strong><em>Slate</em></strong> StoriesPhoto by John Moore/Getty ImagesAnthony Weiner did not have the best week.Bank of England Chooses Wrong Jane Austen Quote for Its New 10-Pound Notehttp://www.slate.com/blogs/xx_factor/2013/07/24/jane_austen_to_replace_charles_darwin_on_the_10_pound_note_says_bank_of.html
<p>When the Bank of England announced earlier this year that it would replace Elizabeth Fry, 19<sup>th</sup> century social reformer, with Winston Churchill on the 5-pound note, it got an earful from critics. Fry was the only woman represented on British currency, apart from the Queen. Critics led a <a href="http://www.change.org/en-GB/petitions/bank-of-england-keep-a-woman-on-english-banknotes">campaign</a> imploring the Bank to reverse its decision and to instead replace Fry with another prominent British woman. The petitioners argued that while Queen Elizabeth’s face graces the front of every banknote, the monarch hardly represents the women of England—she’s on the currency because of her bloodline, not her merits. Apart from the Queen and Fry, Florence Nightingale is the only other woman whose face has appeared on a British banknote. (Nightingale was featured on the 10-pound note from 1975 until 1992).</p>
<p>Well, the campaign kind of worked! While Churchill is still a go for the 5-pound note, the bank <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-23424289">announced earlier today</a> that Jane Austen will be replacing Charles Darwin on the 10-pound banknote, effective in 2017.</p>
<p>Campaigners for the Fry slot, who went as far as to threaten to sue the Bank for failing to take the country’s 2010 Equality Act into account when choosing a face, are overjoyed. Not only have they secured a place for the novelist in the currency, the Bank of England has agreed to review the process through which a prominent figure is granted this honor.</p>
<p>But not everyone is convinced that Austen is the right choice. <a href="http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/jane-austen-10-banknote-wrong-1998982">Susie Boniface argues in the <em>Mirror</em></a> that England has produced far worthier women like mathematician Ada Lovelace or Margaret Thatcher, who deserve recognition more than the 18<sup>th</sup> century novelist, because, in Boniface’s words, while Austen “wrote perfectly good books,” she “didn’t change the world.” Boniface also chides the novelist for her reliance on the marriage plot.</p>
<p>Boniface and English Professor John Mullan of the University College, London <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2013/jun/30/jane-austen-ten-pound-note">debated the issue in the <em>Guardian</em></a> last month, when Mullan rightly noted that it’s hard to enter into a discussion on whether or not Austen is the best choice to represent women in British currency without trying to compare apples to oranges, scientists to social activists. Even Boniface admits that the issue isn’t who should represent British women, but that women are expected to identify with one single “representative” at all. It’s a heavy burden for Austen, just as it would be for Thatcher.</p>
<p>The Bank of England announced that the bill will include a portrait of Austen adapted from a sketch by her sister Cassandra, and a quote from <em>Pride and Prejudice</em>: “I declare after all there is no enjoyment like reading!” And with that line from the insufferable Miss Bingley Austen will join the ranks of Shakespeare and Dickens. They should have gone with: “How quick come the reasons for approving what we like!”</p>Wed, 24 Jul 2013 21:02:57 GMThttp://www.slate.com/blogs/xx_factor/2013/07/24/jane_austen_to_replace_charles_darwin_on_the_10_pound_note_says_bank_of.htmlMariana Zepeda2013-07-24T21:02:57ZDouble XJane Austen to Replace Charles Darwin on England's 10-Pound Note201130724005englandmoneyMariana ZepedaThe XX FactorThe XX Factorhttp://www.slate.com/blogs/xx_factor/2013/07/24/jane_austen_to_replace_charles_darwin_on_the_10_pound_note_says_bank_of.htmlfalsefalsefalseBank of England chooses wrong Jane Austen quote for its new 10-pound note.Jane Austen to Replace Charles Darwin on England's 10-Pound NotePhoto by Chris Ratcliffe - Pool/Getty ImagesHere she isTrayvon Martin, Living With Anxiety, and BMW Bullieshttp://www.slate.com/articles/briefing/cocktail_chatter/2013/07/trayvon_martin_living_with_anxiety_and_bmw_bullies_the_week_s_most_interesting.html
<p>“<a href="http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/frame_game/2013/07/trayvon_martin_verdict_racism_hate_crimes_prosecution_and_other_overreactions.html">You Are Not Trayvon Martin</a>: His death wasn’t about race, guns, or your pet issue. It was about misjudgment and overreaction—exactly what we’re doing now to the verdict,” by William Saletan. Amid the multitude of reactions to the verdict in the George Zimmerman trial, Saletan provides a fresh perspective, arguing that Martin’s death was the result of “assumption, misperception, and overreaction.” Elsewhere in <strong><em>Slate</em></strong>, Saletan <a href="http://www.slate.com/blogs/the_slatest/2013/07/16/tom_scocca_will_saletan_gawker_slate_columnists_debate_zimmerman_verdict.html">debates</a> Gawker’s Tom Scocca on Twitter, Dahlia Lithwick examines <a href="http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/jurisprudence/2013/07/zimmerman_trial_juror_b37_why_did_prosecutors_let_her_on_the_trayvon_martin.html">why juror B37 was selected for the jury</a>, and Daniel Engber explains <a href="http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/crime/2013/07/florida_gun_laws_george_zimmerman_acquittal_shows_danger_of_stand_your_ground.html">Florida’s strange gun laws</a>, which led to a woman woman who fired shots—but didn’t injure anyone—getting 20 years in jail.</p>
<p>“<a href="http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/jurisprudence/2013/07/bradley_manning_trial_and_wikileaks_the_government_s_charge_that_he_aided.html">This Is Vengeance, Not Justice</a>: Allowing the government to charge Bradley Manning with “aiding the enemy” is a dangerous precedent,” by Emily Bazelon. After leaking scores of military documents to Wikileaks in 2009, Bradley Manning is pleading guilty to ten of the charges brought against him, but he says he’s not guilty of “aiding the enemy.” On Thursday, a military judge decided not to drop this most serious charge, a move that Emily Bazelon thinks is a huge mistake. The risk, she says, is that it will set a precedent for future whistleblowers that will restrict free speech. The judge’s decision means that whenever anyone gets their hands on a damaging military document, “publishing it is the legal equivalent of deliberately handing it to terrorists.”</p>
<p>“<a href="http://www.slate.com/articles/arts/culturebox/2013/07/stevie_wonder_s_florida_boycott_his_zimmerman_verdict_protest_is_savvy_and.html">Stevie Wonder’s Florida Boycott</a>: It’s politically savvy, morally righteous, and it could be enormously important,” by Jack Hamilton. The day after the verdict in the Zimmerman trial came down, Stevie Wonder announced that he would not perform in Florida until the state’s “stand your ground” law is overthrown. Hamilton argues that even though Wonder is past the height of his fame and he hasn’t released an album in eight years, this is a boycott to take seriously. Wonder’s symbolic act might spark concrete ones if other artists follow his lead.</p>
<p>“<a href="http://www.slate.com/articles/health_and_science/medical_examiner/2013/07/living_with_anxiety_and_panic_attacks_academia_needs_to_accommodate_mental.html">Worrying Enormously About Small Things</a>: How I survive anxiety and you can, too,” by Lisa T. McElroy. In this moving essay on living with anxiety, McElroy traces her life with mental illness from college to becoming a tenured law professor. Her anxiety has lessened with the security that tenure provides, and with this security McElroy has decided to speak on behalf of those living with mental illness, because, as McElroy writes, “we cannot eliminate the terror. But we can support the people who live through it.”</p>
<p> “<a href="http://www.slate.com/articles/technology/technology/2013/07/android_vs_iphone_why_apple_still_has_the_edge_over_google_s_operating_system.html">Give Me Back My iPhone!</a> Android is a wonderful operating system. But most Android phones are crap,” by Farhad Manjoo. For his <a href="http://www.slate.com/articles/technology/technology/2013/07/android_vs_iphone_why_apple_still_has_the_edge_over_google_s_operating_system.html">New Year’s resolution</a>, Manjoo decided to swap his iPhone 5 for an Android phone, in large part because Android is the world’s most popular mobile operating system. He found that the phones it runs on are crap. Why? The phones come preloaded with unnecessary and unrequested features and apps, whereas Apple gives you a simpler machine that you can customize.</p>
<p> “<a href="http://www.slate.com/articles/arts/culturebox/2013/07/stop_saying_that_tv_is_better_than_movies_these_days.html">Stop Saying That TV Is Better Than Movies These Days</a>: It’s not, and that’s a lazy argument,” by David Haglund. Haglund sets out to disprove the pervasive argument that TV shows trump movies. Though television is undoubtedly getting better—as evidenced by this year’s <a href="http://www.slate.com/blogs/browbeat/2013/07/18/emmy_nominations_2013_mad_men_house_of_cards_veep_and_louie_get_deserved.html">Emmy nominations</a>—critics’ desire to crown television the new “signature American art form” (as if there can only be one American art form) is entirely misguided. This town is big enough for the both of them.</p>
<p> “<a href="http://www.slate.com/articles/technology/future_tense/2013/07/demolisticles_buzzfeed_lists_crafted_for_specific_demographics_are_social.html">The Rise of the Demolisticle</a>: 40 signs you can publish any old crap nowadays as long as it’s well-targeted,” by Will Oremus. Buzzfeed recently posted a list titled “<a href="http://www.buzzfeed.com/louispeitzman/signs-you-went-to-berkeley">40 Signs You Went to Berkeley</a>.” That’s a narrow demographic! But the post still got thousands of hits. Why? Oremus explains how, with the proclivity of social media, these types of posts (termed “demolisticles” by Reuters’ Chadwick Matlin) are great bang for the buck as they require “little to no reporting, only a tiny bit of writing” and, let’s face it, “minimal imagination.”</p>
<p> “<a href="http://www.slate.com/articles/double_x/doublex/2013/07/the_new_york_times_hookup_culture_story_old_news.html">Hookups, Again</a>: <em>The New York Times</em> discovers the hookup culture,” by Katie Roiphe. <em>The New York Times</em> published <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2013/07/14/fashion/sex-on-campus-she-can-play-that-game-too.html?pagewanted=all&amp;_r=0">yet another article on women and college hookup culture</a> this week. Roiphe argues that “it may in fact be a phenomena that doesn’t have to be explained ... or culturally deconstructed or politically analyzed.” In other words, thank you <em>New York Times</em>, but “women are having casual sex” is not news. Elsewhere in <strong><em>Slate</em></strong>, Lisa Wade claims that despite affirmations of hookup culture’s universality, <a href="http://www.slate.com/articles/double_x/doublex/2013/07/hookup_culture_for_the_white_wealthy_and_beautiful.html">most of its participants are “white, wealthy, and beautiful.</a>”</p>
<p>&nbsp;“<a href="http://www.slate.com/articles/double_x/the_kids/2013/07/clinical_lactation_jumps_on_the_dr_sears_bandwagon_to_say_sleep_training.html">Cry, Baby, Cry</a>: A journal jumps on the Dr. Sears bandwagon to say sleep training is dangerous. Science says otherwise,” by Melinda Wenner Moyer. A recent editorial in Clinical Lactation alarmed parents by claiming that sleep training can cause babies to suffer through damaging stress. Wenner Moyers sets out to disprove this claim, laying out the myriad benefits of letting your baby cry it out until they fall asleep.<br /> </p>
<p>&nbsp;“<a href="http://www.slate.com/articles/life/a_fine_whine/2013/07/bmw_drivers_and_cyclists_the_war_between_the_luxury_cars_and_bicycles.html">Why BMW Drivers Are Jerks to Cyclists</a>: I have four theories,” by David Plotz. After several roadside scares, David Plotz sets out to explain why BMW drivers have it out for cyclists. Plotz presents his four-point theory on why the BMW is the car of bullies.</p>Sat, 20 Jul 2013 10:45:00 GMThttp://www.slate.com/articles/briefing/cocktail_chatter/2013/07/trayvon_martin_living_with_anxiety_and_bmw_bullies_the_week_s_most_interesting.htmlCiara McCarthyMariana Zepeda2013-07-20T10:45:00ZThis week’s most interesting <strong><em>Slate</em></strong> stories.briefingTrayvon Martin, Living With Anxiety, and BMW Bullies: This Week's Most Interesting
<strong> <em>Slate</em> </strong>Stories100130720001cocktail chatterCiara McCarthyMariana ZepedaCocktail Chatterhttp://www.slate.com/articles/briefing/cocktail_chatter/2013/07/trayvon_martin_living_with_anxiety_and_bmw_bullies_the_week_s_most_interesting.htmlfalsefalsefalseTrayvon Martin, Living With Anxiety, and BMW Bullies: This Week's Most Interesting<strong> <em>Slate</em> </strong>StoriesTrayvon Martin, Living With Anxiety, and BMW Bullies: This Week's Most Interesting<strong> <em>Slate</em> </strong>StoriesPhoto by Pool/Getty ImagesGeorge Zimmerman was found not guilty in the shooting death of Trayvon Martin.Does This Cartoon Foretell the Bookstore of the Future?http://www.slate.com/blogs/future_tense/2013/07/18/cartoon_predicts_the_bookshop_of_the_future_will_feature_ebooks.html
<p>The <a href="http://articles.washingtonpost.com/2013-07-08/business/40439561_1_mitchell-klipper-nook-media-william-lynch">resignation of Barnes &amp; Nobles’ CEO William Lynch Jr.</a> earlier this month fed ongoing debates regarding the decline of chain bookstores. If Barnes &amp; Noble, the only national bookstore chain, falls prey to declining customer interest like Borders did a few years back, will bookstores cease &nbsp;to be a part of our everyday lives? <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2013/07/15/business/media/why-barnes-noble-is-good-for-amazon.html?_r=1&amp;">David Carr argued in the <em>New York Times</em></a> this week that the existence of bookstores benefits Amazon. For instance, he said, there was a decline in ebook sales after Borders’ demise, because customers were more likely to order books online if they could browse the stacks at their local bookstore first.</p>
<p>Even though my college-student budget dictates that I buy more books on Amazon than at bricks-and-mortar shops, I still reward myself with a visit to Barnes &amp; Noble or a local bookstore after a tough week. And I want to believe that bookstores will not vanish. Still, <a href="http://www.digitalbookworld.com/2013/does-barnes-noble-have-a-future/">Andrew Rhomberg at Digital Book World would beg to differ</a>. He argues that bookstores may hold their grip on culture and continue to attract book lovers, but this won’t keep them from going under.</p>
<p>This comic from&nbsp;Angela Liao at <a href="http://20px.com/">20px</a> (via <a href="http://mashable.com/2013/07/17/future-of-bookstores-comic/"><em>Mashable</em></a>) provides some solace. Maybe the bookstores of the future will not resemble those we love today, but what if they looked something like this?</p>
<p>Of course, this would mean that all books will be e-books, which brings up different concerns for those of us who remain attached to books as objects. After a life of toting around well-worn (decaying) paperbacks, I remain wary of e-books. But hey, as long as my childhood dream of owning a bookstore isn’t completely obsolete, I’ll take this one.</p>Thu, 18 Jul 2013 20:29:10 GMThttp://www.slate.com/blogs/future_tense/2013/07/18/cartoon_predicts_the_bookshop_of_the_future_will_feature_ebooks.htmlMariana Zepeda2013-07-18T20:29:10ZTechnologyDoes This Cartoon Foretell the Bookstore of the Future?203130718005booksebooksbookstoresMariana ZepedaFuture TenseFuture Tensehttp://www.slate.com/blogs/future_tense/2013/07/18/cartoon_predicts_the_bookshop_of_the_future_will_feature_ebooks.htmlfalsefalsefalseDoes This Cartoon Foretell the Bookstore of the Future?Does This Cartoon Foretell the Bookstore of the Future?Photo by JEWEL SAMAD/AFP/Getty ImagesBorders is no longer with us.Egypt, the Daddy Wars, and Why J. Lo Sang for a Dictatorhttp://www.slate.com/articles/briefing/cocktail_chatter/2013/07/egypt_the_daddy_wars_and_j_lo_in_turkmenistan_the_week_s_most_interesting.html
<p>“<a href="http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/foreigners/2013/07/egypt_s_revolution_is_it_too_late_for_democracy.html">Is Egypt’s Revolution Over?</a>: It was always going to be hard. Now the window for democracy is closing fast,” by William J. Dobson. Egypt’s “young democratic system” may not be able to withstand a battle of wills between the military and the Muslim Brotherhood. And as Tahrir Square devolves into a site for “hollering grievances against whoever is in charge” rather than the grounds of a great revolution, hope for democracy is dwindling. Elsewhere in <strong><em>Slate</em></strong>, Anne Applebaum takes a look at<a href="http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/foreigners/2013/07/protests_in_brazil_egypt_and_turkey_the_wave_of_massive_uprisings_requires.html?wpisrc=flyouts"> what ties recent uprisings in Egypt, Brazil, and Turkey together</a>.</p>
<p>“<a href="http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/politics/2013/07/eliot_spitzer_campaigns_for_new_york_comptroller_why_should_new_yorkers.html">Forget and Forgive</a>: Eliot Spitzer wants New Yorkers to give him the one thing he has never shown anyone else: forgiveness,” by John Dickerson. Eliot Spitzer announced his bid for New York City comptroller last Sunday, asking constituents to forgive and forget the transgression that lost him the governor’s mansion back in 2008. Dickerson points out the irony that mars Spitzer’s call for forgiveness—his reputation was “built on ruthlessness,” particularly when he held the post of New York attorney general. If he hopes to become comptroller, “The Sheriff of Wall Street” must hope the public is feeling generous enough to extend him a courtesy that he never extended his opponents.</p>
<p>“<a href="http://www.slate.com/articles/health_and_science/medical_examiner/2013/07/msg_and_gluten_intolerance_is_the_nocebo_effect_to_blame.html">Hold the MSG</a>: Gluten and MSG intolerance may be only in your head. That’s nothing to be ashamed of,” by Alan Levinovitz. &nbsp;A few years back, MSG sensitivity abounded, and people scoffed at scientist’s efforts to prove that this medical condition had psychological roots. Studies now suggest that most people who cry gluten intolerance are, in fact, wrong—and yet gluten-free items continue to be in high demand. Levinovitz argues that people should just own up to the psychological bias of their ailment, as “nocebo effects are nothing to be ashamed of.”<br /> </p>
<p>“<a href="http://www.slate.com/articles/health_and_science/medical_examiner/2013/07/texas_abortion_ban_after_20_weeks_prenatal_testing_reveals_birth_defects.html">Who Has an Abortion After 20 Weeks?</a>: That’s right when my patients find out about devastating fetal defects,” by Darshak Sanghavi. A Texas bill that prohibits abortions after 20 weeks was passed earlier this week at the Texas House of Representatives.Sanghavi explains that most “comprehensive” scans take place just before the 20-week mark and can uncover major birth defects that are difficult to detect before then. With this new bill in place, Texas women may be forced to rely on subpar information to make a life-defining choice.</p>
<p>“<a href="http://www.slate.com/articles/life/family/2013/07/life_as_a_stay_at_home_dad_everyone_i_meet_calls_me_a_hero_for_taking_care.html">I’m Not a Hero for Taking Care of My Kids</a>: I’m also not baby-sitting them. I’m their dad,” by Peter Mountford. What is life as a stay-at-home dad like? Pretty heroic, according to the passers-by who praise Mountford when they see him with his kids. Mountford adds an important perspective to the conversation about parents, the workplace, and the home with this reflection on life as a stay-at-home father.<br /> </p>
<p>“<a href="http://www.slate.com/articles/health_and_science/medical_examiner/2013/07/poetry_and_medicine_rafael_campo_and_why_doctors_need_the_humanities.html">Patients Need Poetry</a>: And so do doctors,” by Danielle Ofri. Although poetry and medicine might appear to have little to learn from each other, Ofri examines how the world of medicine is starting to embrace its literary side. She explains the way in which writing and reading poetry can help caregivers maintain their empathy and patients retain their voice.</p>
<p> “<a href="http://www.slate.com/articles/sports/sports_nut/2013/07/andy_murray_wimbledon_2013_how_his_obsession_with_beating_his_older_brother.html">Andy and Jamie</a>: How Andy Murray’s obsession with beating his older brother helped him become a Wimbledon champion,” by Hugh MacDonald. As Britain celebrates its first men’s Wimbledon champion in 77 years, MacDonald sheds light on the sibling rivalry that pushed Murray to greatness. Andy and his older brother Jamie lived their childhood in a perpetual state of competition, an environment that drove Murray to be one of the best players in the world. Also in <em>Slate</em>, Josh Levin, Mike Pesca, and guest Johnette Howard discuss Murray’s Wimbledon win and more sports news in this week’s episode of <a href="http://www.slate.com/articles/podcasts/hang_up_and_listen/2013/07/wimbledon_2013_hang_up_and_listen_on_andy_murray_and_marion_bartoli_nba.html">Hang Up and Listen</a>.</p>
<p>&nbsp;“<a href="http://www.slate.com/articles/business/moneybox/2013/07/celebrities_for_hire_jennifer_lopez_christina_aguilera_justin_timberlake.html">Embarrassment of Riches</a>: What happens when the rich and famous rent themselves out to the very, very rich and much less famous,” by Katy Waldman. Last month, Jennifer Lopez was criticizedfor taking $1 million for the job of serenading Turkmenistan’s dictator-president. Waldman lifts the curtain on this mysterious sector of the economy, in which the incredibly rich (and sometimes, the incredibly despotic) hire Hollywood stars to glitz up their guest lists. Waldman explains that the payoff for stars is tremendous, and even if you’re caught clinking champagne with a terrible person, people forget quickly enough for you to do it all over again.</p>
<p>&nbsp; “<a href="http://www.slate.com/articles/business/moneybox/2013/07/abolish_tipping_it_s_bad_for_servers_customers_and_restaurants.html">Tipping Is an Abomination</a>: Here’s how to get rid of it,” by Brian Palmer. Tipping is a terrible way to pay workers, Palmer argues, because it’s not indicative of quality of service, it allows employers to get away with not paying their workers a living wage, and it makes the customer the co-employer. As Palmer notes, “virtually every other employee in America knows how much they’ll be paid up front,” and they manage to complete their work satisfactorily. Tipping doesn’t improve service, it cheats workers, and it needs to be stopped.</p>
<p>In the monthly <strong><em><a href="http://www.slate.com/topics/s/slate_book_review.html">Slate Book Review</a></em></strong>, L.V. Anderson writes about Adelle Waldman’s <em>The Love Affairs of Nathaniel P</em>. lauding <a href="http://www.slate.com/articles/double_x/books/2013/07/adelle_waldman_s_the_love_affairs_of_nathaniel_p_reviewed.html">Waldman’s depiction of title character Nate</a> and, more broadly, of liberal Brooklynites, “the very narrow population among who Nate (and Waldman) (and I) reside.” Also in <strong><em>Slate </em></strong>, Michelle Dean explores <a href="http://www.slate.com/articles/arts/books/2013/07/professor_student_affairs_in_fiction_my_education_by_susan_choi_and_the.html">power relations in student-teacher relationship</a> as laid out in Susan Choi’s <em>My Education</em> and Jessica Lott’s <em>The Rest Of Us</em> and Katy Waldman examines the sharp edges of twinhood in Curtis Sittenfeld’s <em>Sisterland</em>.” Ed Park compels readers to take <a href="http://www.slate.com/articles/arts/books/2013/07/russell_hoban_s_novel_of_middle_age_turtle_diary_reviewed.html">Russell Hoban’s <em>Turtle Diary</em></a> off the shelf, calling it “one of the great novels of the middle age.”</p>Sat, 13 Jul 2013 10:45:00 GMThttp://www.slate.com/articles/briefing/cocktail_chatter/2013/07/egypt_the_daddy_wars_and_j_lo_in_turkmenistan_the_week_s_most_interesting.htmlCiara McCarthyMariana Zepeda2013-07-13T10:45:00ZThis week’s most interesting <strong><em>Slate</em></strong> stories.briefingEgypt, the Daddy Wars, and Why J.Lo Sang for a Dictator: The Week’s Most Intriguing
<strong><em>Slate </em></strong>Stories100130713001cocktail chatterCiara McCarthyMariana ZepedaCocktail Chatterhttp://www.slate.com/articles/briefing/cocktail_chatter/2013/07/egypt_the_daddy_wars_and_j_lo_in_turkmenistan_the_week_s_most_interesting.htmlfalsefalsefalseEgypt, the Daddy Wars, and Why J.Lo Sang for a Dictator: The Week’s Most Intriguing <strong><em>Slate </em></strong>StoriesEgypt, the Daddy Wars, and Why J.Lo Sang for a Dictator: The Week’s Most Intriguing <strong><em>Slate </em></strong>StoriesPhoto by Spencer Platt/Getty ImagesMembers of the Egyptian military man an armored vehicle as they guard a bridge near Tahrir Square on July 8, 2013.Gay Marriage, Flatware Etiquette, and Wendy Davishttp://www.slate.com/articles/briefing/cocktail_chatter/2013/06/gay_marriage_flatware_etiquette_and_wendy_davis_the_week_s_most_interesting.html
<p>“<a href="http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/jurisprudence/2013/06/supreme_court_and_gay_marriage_the_crucial_history_lesson_behind_the_ruling.html">Evolve With Me</a>: Today’s gay marriage rulings are about amazing—and utterly rational—historical change,” by Nathaniel Frank. Frank traces the history of both gay marriage bans and popular support for marriage equality. Elsewhere in <strong><em>Slate</em></strong> John Dickerson considers the <a href="http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/politics/2013/06/supreme_court_and_gay_marriage_will_the_gop_finally_embrace_marriage_equality.html">implications of recent SCOTUS decisions on the GOP’s agenda</a> and William Saletan explains why being <a href="http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/frame_game/2013/06/gay_marriage_polls_and_public_opinion_the_supreme_court_s_rulings_upheld.html">anti-gay is so yesterday.</a> Read more from Slate’s coverage of gay marriage <a href="http://www.slate.com/topics/g/gay_marriage.html">here</a>. Elsewhere, <strong><em>Slate’s</em></strong> legal experts chewed on the <a href="http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/the_breakfast_table/features/2013/supreme_court_2013/fisher_v_university_of_texas_why_did_the_supreme_court_punt_the_affirmative.html">rest of the meaty decisions</a> the Supreme Court made this week.</p>
<p>&nbsp;“<a href="http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/politics/2013/06/texas_abortion_filibuster_and_wendy_davis_the_state_senator_has_revived.html">Lone Star</a>: Filibustering state Sen. Wendy Davis may have done the impossible: revived the Democratic Party in Texas,” by Christopher Hooks. Texas state Sen. Wendy Davis made headlines across the nation earlier this week when she filibustered “one of the most restrictive abortion bills in the country.” Hooks claims that Davis’s stand could help the state’s Democratic Party rally votes—and perhaps even land her in the governor’s mansion one day.</p>
<p>&nbsp;“<a href="http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/jurisprudence/2013/06/supreme_court_and_the_voting_rights_act_goodbye_to_section_5.html">Goodbye to the Crown Jewel of the Civil Rights Movement:</a> People died to pass Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act, but that didn’t save it at the Supreme Court,” by Heather Gerken. Gerken, a Yale law professor , waxes nostalgic for the civil rights movement as she “mourn[s] Section 5’s passing.” &nbsp;<br /> </p>
<p>“<a href="http://www.slate.com/articles/health_and_science/science/2013/06/business_success_from_mental_illness_steve_jobs_henry_heinz_and_est_e_lauder.html?wpisrc=flyouts">Madness Made Them Great</a>: Thomas Jefferson, Steve Jobs, Est&eacute;e Lauder, and Charles Lindbergh suffered from the same mental illness,” by Joshua Kendall. The image of the tormented artist is ubiquitous in popular culture, but Kendall, author of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1455502383/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=390957&amp;creativeASIN=1455502383&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;tag=slatmaga-20"><em>America’s Obsessives</em></a>, shows that mental illness was part of the genius behind many of America’s greatest innovators and business legends. Tics like Steve Jobs’ cleanliness, condiment tycoon Henry Heinz’s obsessive measurements, and Est&eacute;e Lauder’s proclivity for touching other women’s faces were evidence of their drive to create. Kendall argues that “a touch of madness is perhaps the secret to rising to the top in just about any line of work.”</p>
<p>“<a href="http://www.slate.com/articles/health_and_science/science/2013/06/biological_basis_for_homosexuality_the_fraternal_birth_order_explanation.html">Born This Way?</a>: Scientists may have found a biological basis for homosexuality. That could be bad news for gay rights,” by Mark Joseph Stern. The “fraternal birth order effect,” comes from studies that have shown that “men with older brothers are likelier to be gay than men with older sisters or no older siblings.” The problem? Some hypotheses behind the fraternal birth order effect suggest that “homosexuality is seen as a disorder,” a view that Stern says we must abandon.<br /> </p>
<p>“<a href="http://www.slate.com/articles/double_x/doublex/2013/06/baby_veronica_indian_adoption_case_the_supreme_court_got_it_wrong.html">The Court Got Baby Veronica Wrong</a>: Here’s why it should matter to you, Indian or not,” by Marcia Zug. The court’s decision earlier this week sent this highly publicized case back to the South Carolina family court. Zug takes the majority argument to task, labeling it “an ode to the virtues of adoption” and criticizing the justices’ central concern—that ICWA will act as a deterrent to the adoption of Indian children (“duh, that’s the point!”). </p>
<p>“<a href="http://www.slate.com/articles/technology/technology/2013/06/facebook_data_breach_how_social_networks_use_find_friends_to_mine_your_contacts.html">With Friends Like These</a>: How your friends, family, and co-workers are secretly helping social networks gather intelligence on you,” by Will Oremus. Last week, Facebook mistakenly leaked the private contact information of about 6 million users—and the company has since apologized. In light of this data breach, Oremus explains how social media sites like Facebook and LinkedIn access your contacts’ information along with your own every time they suggest someone new for you to “connect” with. Though these sites “take care not to use people’s information for any purposes other than those specified when they provide it,” Oremus advises users to remain wary of that Find Friends tab, lest they find themselves “with a few less friends in real life.” </p>
<p>“<a href="http://www.slate.com/articles/sports/sports_nut/2013/06/darko_milicic_draft_how_magical_thinking_and_racism_produced_the_nba_s_most.html">The Darko Ages</a>: How magical thinking and racism produced the NBA’s most notorious draft bust,” by Jack Hamilton. Hamilton explains how Darko Milicic’s recruitment exemplifies the “Euro-prodigy” craze in American professional basketball. This fad, however, was spurred less by the Europeans’ talent than by the racism of NBA officials, who wanted a “great white hope” to save American basketball from deterioration.<br /> </p>
<p>“<a href="http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/foreigners/2013/06/university_of_the_free_state_in_bloemfontein_s_segregation_how_the_legacy.html">A House Divided</a>: Why the students at one prominent South African university, once a model of racial harmony, chose to resegregate,” by Eve Fairbanks. The University of the Free State, located in central South Africa, astounded administrators when it first decided to integrate. The first black students who attended melded well (or so it seemed) with the campus culture and traditions. As the black student population began to increase, however, the latent tensions present since the beginning of integration caused the school to resegregate. In this fascinating and devastating story, Fairbanks proves wrong the notion that social progress is inevitable.</p>
<p>“<a href="http://www.slate.com/articles/life/culturebox/2013/06/fork_and_knife_use_americans_need_to_stop_cutting_and_switching.html?wpisrc=most_viral">Put a Fork in It</a>: The American way of using fork and knife is inefficient and inelegant. We need a new way,” by Mark Vanhoenacker. If you’re American, chances are your fork does a lot of moving around during dinner time. The “cut-and-switch” method describes how diner move their fork from the left to the right hand after cutting their food. This uniquely American phenomenon actually has its origins in European etiquette, but Americans are the only one who still live by it. Vanhoenacker says we should ditch our individuality for a real American ideal: efficiency in eating.</p>Sat, 29 Jun 2013 11:00:00 GMThttp://www.slate.com/articles/briefing/cocktail_chatter/2013/06/gay_marriage_flatware_etiquette_and_wendy_davis_the_week_s_most_interesting.htmlCiara McCarthyMariana Zepeda2013-06-29T11:00:00ZThis week's most interesting <strong><em>Slate</em></strong> stories.briefingGay Marriage, Flatware Etiquette, and Wendy Davis : Interesting
<strong><em>Slate</em></strong> Stories100130629002gay rightscocktail chatterCiara McCarthyMariana ZepedaCocktail Chatterhttp://www.slate.com/articles/briefing/cocktail_chatter/2013/06/gay_marriage_flatware_etiquette_and_wendy_davis_the_week_s_most_interesting.htmlfalsefalsefalseGay Marriage, Flatware Etiquette, and Wendy Davis : Interesting <strong><em>Slate</em></strong> StoriesGay Marriage, Flatware Etiquette, and Wendy Davis : Interesting <strong><em>Slate</em></strong> StoriesPhoto by Mladen Antonov/AFP/Getty ImagesThe Supreme Court struck down the Defense of Marriage Act last week.Dignity Is Nice, but What About the Benefits of Gay Marriage?http://www.slate.com/blogs/moneybox/2013/06/26/gay_marriage_rights_what_are_the_practical_consequences_of_the_supreme_court.html
<p>In light of the repeal of DOMA earlier today, <strong><em>Slate </em></strong>has been thinking about the many rights and privileges that married couples have. Equal access to marriage is about <a href="http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/the_breakfast_table/features/2013/supreme_court_2013/supreme_court_and_doma_kennedy_s_opinion_is_a_historic_thrilling_full_throated.html">dignity</a>, but it’s also about the practical aspects of sharing a life with someone. Here’s to filing joint tax returns!</p>
<p>Married people can:</p>
<ul>
<li>Inherit a spouse’s estate without paying taxes. This was the issue at the heart of the DOMA case, <em>Windsor v. United States</em>. Edith Windsor had to pay estate taxes after her wife died, which the Supreme Court judged to be unconstitutional. <a href="http://www.slate.com/blogs/the_slatest/2013/06/26/supreme_court_gay_marriage_decision_justices_rule_on_prop_8_doma_cases.html">She’ll get a refund.</a></li>
<li>File jointly for bankruptcy, eliminating the debt for both spouses.</li>
<li>Qualify to take leave to care for a spouse with a serious medical condition if the job is protected under the Family and Medical Leave Act.</li>
<li>Under spousal testimonial privilege, one spouse can’t be forced to testify against the other in court.</li>
<li>File joint tax returns. In some cases this will increase the couple’s tax bill; in other cases it will decrease it, as <a href="http://www.slate.com/blogs/moneybox/2013/06/26/doma_ruling_and_federal_budget_gay_marriage_and_the_deficit.html">Matt Yglesias pointed out this morning</a>.</li>
<li>Get divorced.</li>
<li>Deduct alimony payments from federal income tax.</li>
<li>Qualify for Medicare based on a spouse’s employment.</li>
<li>Qualify for health plans under the Federal Employees Health Benefits program if one spouse is a member of the uniformed services.</li>
<li>Sponsor a spouse for an immigration visa.</li>
<li>Qualify for benefits if one spouse is or has been an employee of the federal government. These benefits vary but include health insurance (including dental and vision) and long-term care insurance.</li>
<li>Receive specific Social Security benefits, such as the “surviving spouse benefit,” under which a person can choose to either continue receiving his or her own Social Security payment or collect that of his or her spouse.</li>
<li>Receive veterans benefits, which include health care, dependency and indemnity compensation, and educational assistance programs.</li>
<li>Delay enrollment in Medicare Part B (hospital insurance) and D (prescription drug coverage) if one spouse is still working and has a health plan. Otherwise a person could incur a penalty for not enrolling upon turning 65.</li>
<li>Veterans’ spouses can get priority over nonveterans in job training programs, qualify to receive educational assistance, receive medical care through the Department of Veterans Affairs, and get a memorial headstone paid for by the U.S. government.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong><em>Read more from </em></strong><a href="http://www.slate.com/topics/g/gay_marriage.html"><strong><em>Slate’s coverage of gay marriage</em></strong></a><strong><em>.</em></strong></p>Wed, 26 Jun 2013 21:04:19 GMThttp://www.slate.com/blogs/moneybox/2013/06/26/gay_marriage_rights_what_are_the_practical_consequences_of_the_supreme_court.htmlCiara McCarthyMariana Zepeda2013-06-26T21:04:19ZBusinessWhat Are the Practical Consequences of the Gay Marriage Rulings?221130626009gay marriageCiara McCarthyMariana ZepedaMoneyboxMoneyboxhttp://www.slate.com/blogs/moneybox/2013/06/26/gay_marriage_rights_what_are_the_practical_consequences_of_the_supreme_court.htmlfalsefalsefalseWhat Are the Practical Consequences of the Gay Marriage Rulings?What Are the Practical Consequences of the Gay Marriage Rulings?Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty ImagesSupporters of same-sex marriage stand in front of San Francisco City Hall on June 26, 2013. The Supreme Court's rulings on gay marriage aren't just symbolic—a host of practical effects comes with the broadening of marriage equality.Baseball Dads, Miranda Rights, and the Tyranny of the Smilehttp://www.slate.com/articles/briefing/cocktail_chatter/2013/06/miranda_rights_baseball_dads_and_the_tyranny_of_the_smile_the_week_s_most.html
<p><a href="http://www.slate.com/articles/technology/technology/2013/06/television_vs_youtube_american_tv_habits_can_t_be_beat_but_google_is_trying.html">“Screen Capture</a>: Traditional TV is unstoppable. Can YouTube ever beat it?” by Farhad Manjoo. Will YouTube rise to challenge TV’s long-held primacy? It just might. Manjoo claims that YouTube’s recent upgrades, which include personalized channels and a new “serving technology” that diminishes buffering, aim to vastly improve user experience. Like television, YouTube here to stay—and, as Manjoo claims, “none of us will ever get anything done.”<strong></strong></p>
<p>“<a href="http://www.slate.com/articles/sports/sports_nut/2013/06/baseball_parents_how_dads_stress_their_kids_out_during_little_league_games.html">Wait, Am <em>I </em>That Baseball Dad?</a>: How baseball encourages bad parenting—and how you can support your kids on the diamond without driving them crazy,” by John Dickerson. The loudest, most boisterous baseball fans aren’t in the World Series stadiums; they’re on the sidelines of youth baseball games. Dickerson reflects upon the emotional investment has, on occasion, driven him to become that “dreaded Baseball Dad” who takes supportive to a whole new level. He recommends that parents refrain from getting visibly invested in the game and, instead, take a step back and let children decide whether or not they want to talk about that tumble they just took on the baseball field.</p>
<p>“<a href="http://www.slate.com/articles/arts/culturebox/2013/06/james_gandolfini_dead_at_51_as_tony_soprano_he_was_part_of_the_family_and.html">A Loss in the Family</a>: James Gandolfini changed television, and us,” by Jessica Winter. Winter reminisces upon the actor’s memorable career, his tenure as iconic Tony Soprano and his own “American-dream story.”<strong></strong></p>
<p>“<a href="http://www.slate.com/articles/double_x/doublex/2013/06/bitchy_resting_face_and_female_niceness_why_do_women_have_to_smile_more.html">The Tyranny of the Smile</a>: Why does everyone expect women to smile all the time?” by Katy Waldman. Waldman uncovers the “tyranny of nice” to explain the social norms that regulate the gendered manner in which we grin. Women smile far more frequently than men, at least when it comes to the forced, performed smile. Waldman looks at a number of different hypotheses to explain the ubiquity of the sweet, smiling female and reveals that the tendency might be hurting more than helping.</p>
<p>“<a href="http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/politics/2013/06/barack_obama_s_approval_rating_is_down_do_poll_numbers_matter_for_a_second.html">The Second-Term Slump</a>: Obama’s poll numbers are dropping. Does it matter?” by John Dickerson. The president’s approval ratings have slipped dramatically. Is that a problem? Only when it comes to health care. Dickerson argues that when it comes to Obama’s “signature legislative achievement,” his low approval ratings and the decline of the public’s trust in him could thwart the successful implementation of health care reform.</p>
<p>“<a href="http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/jurisprudence/2013/06/salinas_v_texas_right_to_remain_silent_supreme_court_right_to_remain_silent.html">You Don’t Have the Right to Remain Silent</a>: The Supreme Court’s terrible—and dangerous—ruling this week on the Fifth Amendment,” by Brandon L. Garrett. You should really pay attention to the Supreme Court’s ruling on <em>Salinas v. Texas</em>, because it means that you yourself have to invoke your right to remain silent in a case of informal questioning. Otherwise, prosecutors could use that silence against you in court. Garrett sheds light on this overlooked ruling&nbsp;by explaining how it will make false confessions and wrongful convictions much more likely.<br /> </p>
<p>&nbsp;“<a href="http://www.slate.com/articles/health_and_science/human_nature/2013/06/fetal_pain_at_20_weeks_the_pain_capable_unborn_child_protection_act_will.html">The Pain Threshold</a>: Banning abortions at 20 weeks is just the beginning of a plan to outlaw them altogether,” by William Saletan. On Tuesday, the House of Representatives voted to outlaw abortion at the 20-week mark, two weeks earlier than the Supreme Court-established point of fetal viability. Why? House Republicans claim that 20 weeks is when a fetus is developed enough to feel pain. Saletan explains that the science behind this idea is much less definitive than House Republicans want you to believe. Saletan argues that the passage of this bill is evidence of the pro-lifers’ effort to continually push up the date at which abortion is legal until it’s outlawed altogether.</p>
<p>&nbsp;“<a href="http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/jurisprudence/2013/06/why_cops_don_t_believe_rape_victims_and_how_brain_science_can_solve_the.html">Why Don’t Cops Believe Rape Victims?</a> Brain science helps explain the problem—and solve it,” by Rebecca Ruiz. Many victims decline to report assaults out of fear that they won’t be believed. Cops often having trouble believing victims because those victimes are sometimes unable to establish a timeline of the incident, and remain unemotional and detached while recounting their experience. Ruiz &nbsp;reveals that brain science may lead the way to a more accurate and victim-sensitive method of prosecuting crimes of sexual violence.</p>
<p>&nbsp;“<a href="http://www.slate.com/articles/health_and_science/science/2013/06/harrison_okene_s_shipwreck_air_bubble_how_could_he_survive_underwater_for.html">Trapped in an Underwater Air Bubble for Three Days</a>: Harrison Okene’s shipwreck survival wasn’t a miracle. It was fascinating physics,” by Rachel Nuwer. In May, a tugboat capsized off the coast of Nigeria, began filling with water and sank to the ocean floor, drowning the entire crew, except for one man: Harrison Okene. An air bubble in the boat provided Okene with enough oxygen to survive for nearly three days before he was rescued. Nuwer explains the amazing science behind Okene’s survival.</p>
<p>&nbsp;“<a href="http://www.slate.com/articles/life/family/2013/06/nurses_and_hospice_care_personal_essay_from_a_nurse_working_in_end_of_life.html">Approaching Death</a>: A nurse goes from the ER to a hospice, and changes the way she thinks about life and its end,” by Kimberly A. Condon. Condon thoughtfully recounts the experiences that drove her to become a nurse. Though she began her career in the fast-paced world of the ER, Condon found herself yearning to form deeper relationships with her patients. When she made the daunting decision to switch her specialty over to hospice nursing, Condon grew accustomed to working in a slower, quieter atmosphere and reaffirmed her commitment to a life of caring for patients.</p>Sat, 22 Jun 2013 11:00:00 GMThttp://www.slate.com/articles/briefing/cocktail_chatter/2013/06/miranda_rights_baseball_dads_and_the_tyranny_of_the_smile_the_week_s_most.htmlCiara McCarthyMariana Zepeda2013-06-22T11:00:00ZThis week's most interesting <strong><em>Slate</em></strong> stories.briefingBaseball Dads, Miranda Rights, and the Tyranny of the Smile: Interesting
<strong><em>Slate</em></strong> Stories100130622001cocktail chatterCiara McCarthyMariana ZepedaCocktail Chatterhttp://www.slate.com/articles/briefing/cocktail_chatter/2013/06/miranda_rights_baseball_dads_and_the_tyranny_of_the_smile_the_week_s_most.htmlfalsefalsefalseBaseball Dads, Miranda Rights, and the Tyranny of the Smile: Interesting <strong><em>Slate</em></strong> StoriesBaseball Dads, Miranda Rights, and the Tyranny of the Smile: Interesting <strong><em>Slate</em></strong> StoriesPhoto by Comstock Images/ThinkstockWhat can be done about &quot;baseball dads&quot;?Mass Surveillance, Weddings, and Ambivalencehttp://www.slate.com/articles/briefing/cocktail_chatter/2013/06/mass_surveillance_weddings_and_ambivalence_the_week_s_most_interesting_slate.html
<p>&nbsp;“<a href="http://www.slate.com/articles/technology/technology/2013/06/the_nsa_s_phone_call_database_a_defense_of_mass_surveillance.html">The Case for Mass Surveillance</a>: The NSA’s database of phone calls makes sense. But it needs clear safeguards to prevent abuse,” by William Saletan. President Obama and James Clapper claim that our phone information is safe with the NSA, citing safeguards like &nbsp;“congressional oversight and judicial veto power” as limits to data abuse. Saletan argues that while that’s all well and good, these procedures need to be revealed to the public or “we won’t let it have the data to begin with.” Elsewhere in <strong><em>Slate</em></strong>, Saletan <a href="http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/frame_game/2013/06/nsa_metadata_obama_s_non_answers_to_questions_about_government_surveillance.html">criticizes Obama’s consistently vague answers</a> to the public’s questions and Fred Kaplan argues that we should just <a href="http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/war_stories/2013/06/fire_dni_james_clapper_he_lied_to_congress_about_nsa_surveillance.html">fire James Clapper</a>.</p>
<p>&nbsp;“<a href="http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/jurisprudence/2013/06/anthony_kennedy_s_gay_marriage_views_the_supreme_court_justice_may_see_banning.html">What Is Anthony Kennedy Thinking?</a>: Why the Supreme Court justice might decide we’ve been thinking about gay marriage all wrong,” by Sonja West. As the public awaits the Supreme Court decision on gay marriage bans, all eyes are on Justice Anthony Kennedy, who has been the swing vote on issues such as the death penalty and whether terrorists should be tried in civilian courts. West explains that, instead of entering uncharted legal territory and confronting discrimination based on sexual orientation, Justice Kennedy could choose to play it safe by framing the debate in terms of gender discrimination.</p>
<p>“<a href="http://www.slate.com/articles/health_and_science/medical_examiner/2013/06/robert_f_kennedy_jr_vaccine_conspiracy_theory_scientists_and_journalists.html">So Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Called Us to Complain …</a> : He says scientists lie, journalists are scared of the CDC, and the government is poisoning children,” by Laura Helmuth. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. called <strong><em>Slate</em></strong> last week to complain about Phil Plait’s recent article “<a href="http://www.slate.com/blogs/bad_astronomy/2013/06/05/robert_f_kennedy_jr_advocate_for_antiscience_and_antivaccination.html">Robert F. Kennedy Jr.: Anti-Vaxxer</a>.” RFK Jr. claims that journalists are being hushed by the CDC about the (indisputable) dangers of vaccination—or remain blissfully unaware of them because they refuse to read scientific research. In a play-by-play of her recent phone conversation with RFK Jr., Helmuth debunks anti-vaccination conspiracy theories and argues that in exerting his influence to end the anti-vax movement, Kennedy would leave behind a “proud legacy, one worthy of his name.”</p>
<p>“<a href="http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/politics/2013/06/hillary_clinton_joins_twitter_why_it_s_too_soon_for_the_former_secretary.html">A Presidential Tease</a>: Hillary Clinton joined Twitter and winked at the speculation she may run in 2016. Too soon,” by John Dickerson. The former secretary of state debuted her Twitter bio Monday, using the meme-tastic photo of her on a military transport flight for her Twitter avatar. Her cheeky bio includes such accolades as “pantsuit aficionado,” and “glass ceiling cracker,” and concludes with the mysterious “TBD...,” hinting at a 2016 presidential run. Dickerson thinks it’s too soon for her to begin the “will-she-or-won’t-she” game, and argues that if Twitter is to be an effective tool for Clinton, she’ll need to break from the PR-conscious chaos that Twitter currently is and find a way to continue the authenticity she revealed in her first tweet.</p>
<p>“<a href="http://www.slate.com/articles/life/weddings/2013/06/average_wedding_cost_published_numbers_on_the_price_of_a_wedding_are_totally.html">The Wedding Industry’s Pricey Little Secret</a>: That widely used ‘average wedding cost’ figure is grossly misleading. Here’s a much more accurate number,” by Will Oremus. Ask Google how much the average wedding costs, and it will almost always tell you the same answer: between $27,000 and $28,000. Oremus explains that number is both wrong and misleading, pointing out that it results fromselection bias and the crucial difference between median and mean. &nbsp;And check out the rest of <strong><em>Slate</em></strong>’s <a href="http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/weddings.html">wedding coverage</a>, including Matthew Yglesias on why we should <a href="http://www.slate.com/articles/life/weddings/2013/06/wedding_present_etiquette_let_s_do_away_with_wedding_registries_and_give.html">stop</a> buying wedding presents and buy graduation presents instead.</p>
<p>&nbsp;“<a href="http://www.slate.com/articles/double_x/doublex/2013/06/why_one_child_is_enough_for_me_all_of_the_joy_less_of_the_crap.html">Why One Child Is Enough for Me—and Might Be for You</a>: A smaller family means all of the joy, less of the crap,” by Lauren Sandler. In this excerpt from her new book, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1451626959/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=390957&amp;creativeASIN=1451626959&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;tag=slatmaga-20"><em>One and Only</em></a>, Sandler makes the case for having just one child. Sandler, both an only child herself and the parent of an only child, cites research that suggests that parents of just one kid are happier and more satisfied with their lives than parents with multiple kids. In the age of overparenting, Sandler argues, it’s easier for mothers and fathers to lose themselves when they’re caring for more than one child.<br /> </p>
<p>“<a href="http://www.slate.com/articles/double_x/roiphe/2013/06/airplane_books_what_s_the_perfect_one.html">Great Airplane Reads</a>:<strong> </strong>Not too scary. Not too slow. Totally absorbing. The criteria for a perfect airplane book,” by Katie Roiphe. What should you read during your next plane ride? Not a trashy novel. Roiphe suggests a few “truly, effectively transporting” books that can speed up long hours aboard an airplane—or quell the fears of sudden turbulence.<a></a></p>
<p>“<a href="http://www.slate.com/articles/health_and_science/science/2013/06/ambivalence_conflicted_feelings_cause_discomfort_and_creativity.html?wpisrc=flyouts">Ambivalence Is Awesome: Or is it awful?</a> Sometimes it’s best to have conflicted feelings,” by Ian Leslie. Feeling conflicted about your opinion on Edward Snowden? That’s OK, says Leslie. Ambivalent people, those with an “excess of opinion,” are quite normal, and emotional ambivalence can reflect maturity.<br /> </p>
<p>&nbsp;“<a href="http://www.slate.com/articles/arts/culturebox/2013/06/canadian_sellout_anxiety_why_canadians_are_afraid_of_selling_out.html?wpisrc=flyouts">Canadian Sellout Anxiety:</a> Why so many from up north come south—and then feel guilty about it,” by Michelle Orange. In the comedy “This Is The End,” Jay Baruchel and Seth Rogen find themselves in the throes of apocalypse, and this forces them to confront what has become a motif of Canadian popular culture—sell-out guilt. Orange, Canadian herself, identifies the anxieties that emerge from leaving Canada,&nbsp;a place where, in the words of Lorne Michaels, it seems like “everyone had always left.”</p>
<p>&nbsp;“<a href="http://www.slate.com/articles/arts/movies/2013/06/man_of_steel_reviewed.html">Man of Steel</a>: Can America stomach a superhero this saintly?” by Dana Stevens. In a review of the new, highly anticipated Superman film, Stevens praises Zack Snyder’s inventive world-building but laments that this “elegantly illuminated retelling of [Superman’s] origin story” forces viewers to wade through more than an hour of—admittedly stunning—Krypton footage before meeting young hero Clark Kent. Elsewhere in <strong><em>Slate</em></strong>, Kyle Hill (finally!) explains the <a href="http://www.slate.com/articles/health_and_science/medical_examiner/2013/06/superman_man_of_steel_disguise_prosopagnosia_explains_why_no_one_recognizes.html">science</a> behind Clark Kent’s ever-impenetrable disguise.</p>Sat, 15 Jun 2013 11:00:00 GMThttp://www.slate.com/articles/briefing/cocktail_chatter/2013/06/mass_surveillance_weddings_and_ambivalence_the_week_s_most_interesting_slate.htmlCiara McCarthyMariana Zepeda2013-06-15T11:00:00ZThis week's most interesting <strong><em>Slate</em></strong> stories.briefingMass Surveillance, Weddings, and Ambivalence: Interesting
<strong><em>Slate</em></strong> Stories100130615003cocktail chatterCiara McCarthyMariana ZepedaCocktail Chatterhttp://www.slate.com/articles/briefing/cocktail_chatter/2013/06/mass_surveillance_weddings_and_ambivalence_the_week_s_most_interesting_slate.htmlfalsefalsefalseMass Surveillance, Weddings, and Ambivalence: Interesting <strong><em>Slate</em></strong> StoriesMass Surveillance, Weddings, and Ambivalence: Interesting <strong><em>Slate</em></strong> StoriesPhoto by Win McNamee/Getty Images&nbsp;Director of National Intelligence James Clapper testifies before the Senate Armed Services Committee in April.Big Brother, Drowning Dangers, and the Future of Online Shoppinghttp://www.slate.com/articles/briefing/cocktail_chatter/2013/06/big_brother_drowning_dangers_and_the_future_of_online_shopping_this_week.html
<p>“<a href="http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/history/2013/06/prism_j_edgar_hoover_would_have_loved_the_nsa_s_surveillance_program_topic.html">Somewhere, J. Edgar Hoover Is Smiling</a>: The FBI director and notorious snoop would have loved PRISM,” by Beverly Gage. The U.S. has a long history of “intelligence abuses,” dating back to the days of J. Edgar Hoover and COINTELPRO. <a></a>Gage, a professor at Yale University, recounts the controversial uncovering of this “counterintelligence program” in 1971, explaining that the discovery of such abuses of power led to a “new system of oversight.”<a>*</a> Today, Gage argues, what is troubling isn’t that PRISM exists but rather that “what the NSA is doing appears to be legal—and nearly every branch of the government is complicit.” Elsewhere in <strong><em>Slate</em></strong>, Emily Bazelon explains <a href="http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/jurisprudence/2013/06/n_greenwald_s_verizon_story_government_surveillance_of_phone_calls_should.html">why the news is worrying</a> and Ryan Gallagher discusses <a href="http://www.slate.com/blogs/future_tense/2013/06/07/nsa_prism_phone_records_spying_scope_expands_to_sprint_nextel_at_t_credit.html">the scope of the surveillance</a>. Fred Kaplan <a href="http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/war_stories/2013/06/brian_jenkins_fears_nsa_overreach_a_top_terrorism_expert_thinks_government.html">interviews a counterterror expert</a> who is worried about government overreach, and Farhad Manjoo asks: Will the top secret data-mining operation <a href="http://www.slate.com/articles/technology/technology/2013/06/prism_apple_google_microsoft_how_the_nsa_s_surveillance_program_could_ruin.html">ruin Silicon Valley</a>? And as far as that summit between President Obama and Xi Jinping about cyber-hacking? <a href="http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/foreigners/2013/06/xi_jinping_obama_summit_what_the_chinese_leader_will_say_when_the_president.html">Awkward</a>, says Will Dobson.</p>
<p>“<a href="http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/foreigners/2013/06/recep_tayyip_erdogan_s_authoritarian_response_turkey_s_prime_minister_is.html">Emperor Erdogan</a>: Turkey’s prime minister is a popular, democratically elected leader—who rules with the back of his hand,” by Cinar Kiper. Last week, protesters gathered in Taksim Square, a public park in the heart of Istanbul. A small protest that began in response to the government’s decision to turn the park into a shopping mall quickly grew in scale as Prime Minister Erdogan and his administration scoffed at protesters’ complaints. Kiper claims that the uprisings speak to Prime Minister Erdogan’s “authoritarian branch of democracy.” Elsewhere in <strong><em>Slate</em></strong>, a protester shares his <a href="http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/foreigners/2013/06/turkey_s_massive_uprising_a_first_person_account_from_a_turkish_protester.html">first-hand account</a> of the protests.<br /> </p>
<p>“<a href="http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/politics/2013/06/darrell_issa_and_republican_party_s_irs_investigations_the_gop_has_broad.html">The GOP’s Free Pass</a>: It’s almost impossible for Republicans to overplay their hand on the IRS scandal. And they are just getting started,” by John Dickerson. Though many Democrats argue that the Republican response to the IRS scandal is overblown, particularly in light of next year’s midterm elections, Dickerson claims that, in factthe public largely supports further investigation of the IRS mess.“Right now, the public wants Republicans to make their case.”</p>
<p>“<a href="http://www.slate.com/articles/health_and_science/medical_examiner/2013/06/medical_school_dark_side_the_third_year_makes_students_less_empathetic.html">The Darkest Year of Medical School</a>: Students come in altruistic and empathetic. They leave jaded and bitter,” by Danielle Ofri. It comes as no surprise that students do not emerge unscathed from the pressures of medical school. Ofri identifies the third year of medical school as a key moment; as students make the move from the classroom to the hospital, they are faced with higher stakes and a new set of pressures. Many lose important qualities that may have played a part in their decision to attend medical school in the first place, such as “altruism, empathy, generosity of spirit, love of learning, high ethical standards.”<br /> </p>
<p><a href="http://www.slate.com/articles/arts/culturebox/2013/06/straight_actors_in_gay_roles_is_gayface_ok.html">“The Curious Case of Gayface</a>: Should straight actors play gay roles?” by J. Bryan Lowder. Straight actors playing gay roles—problematic? Maybe not. Lowder argues that, ultimately, it matters less who is playing what role than “what kinds of gay roles are being written for anyone to play in the first place.”</p>
<p>&nbsp;“<a href="http://www.slate.com/articles/health_and_science/science/2013/06/louisiana_creationism_video_state_sen_elbert_guillory_defends_faith_healing.html">Louisiana’s Latest Anti-Scientific Folly, on Video</a>: Lawmaker says faith healing should be allowed in science class,” by Zack Kopplin. It’s bad enough that the Louisiana Science Education Act, allows schools to teach creationism.Now state senators are defending the law so that “faith-healing” is not seen as “pseudo science.” ” Kopplin writes: “Guillory explained that he wouldn’t want to keep the ‘science’ behind an experience he had with a witch doctor—who ‘wore no shoes, was semi-clothed, used a lot of bones that he threw around’—out of a public school science classroom.”</p>
<p>&nbsp;“<a href="http://www.slate.com/articles/health_and_science/family/2013/06/rescuing_drowning_children_how_to_know_when_someone_is_in_trouble_in_the.html">Drowning Doesn’t Look Like Drowning</a>: In many child drownings, adults are nearby but have no idea the victim is dying. Here’s what to look for,” by Mario Vittone. Former Coast Guard member Vittone warns readers that drowning doesn’t look like most people expect: It isn’t loud, it isn’t dramatic and, usually, people don’t even realize that it’s happening. Know what to look for at the beach and pool this summer.<br /> </p>
<p>“<a href="http://www.slate.com/articles/double_x/doublex/2013/06/should_one_person_always_stay_at_home_an_economist_considers.html">Housebound</a>: Does one person staying at home always make the household more efficient?” by Emily Oster. Setting power dynamics aside, what is the most efficient way to run a household? Oster makes a case for specialization rather than parents splitting the various tasks 50-50, but she suggests that rather than embrace a stay-at-home parent model, parents should consider “outsourcing” to ensure that household duties don’t slip through the cracks.</p>
<p>“<a href="http://www.slate.com/articles/technology/technology/2013/06/google_shopping_express_amazonfresh_which_mega_company_will_succeed_in_revolutionizing.html">The Glorious Future of Shopping</a>: You order online. Your stuff comes the same day. You never have to leave your house again,” by Farhad Manjoo. New services like Google Shopping Express and Amazon Fresh point to the future of Internet shopping. Manjoo suggests that while, logistically, fulfilling all our shopping needs through the Internet will be tricky (ahem, perishables), it could be amazing.</p>
<p>&nbsp;“<a href="http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/explainer/2013/06/do_dogs_mourn_their_dead_owners.html">Will Your Dog Mourn Your Death</a>? Or just hop into the next warm lap?” by Brian Palmer. &nbsp;A photograph of a police dog placing its paw on its partner’s casket recently went viral, prompting the question: “Do dogs mourn the loss of their owners?” Palmer explains that while dogs definitely react to their owner’s deaths, “evidence of mourning is far stronger for other members of the animal kingdom,” such as elephants or chimpanzees.</p>
<p><em><strong><a></a>Correction, June 11, 2013:</strong> This article originally misidentified Beverly Gage as a professor at Yale Law School. Professor Gage is a historian and teaches in the History Department at Yale University. (<a>Return</a> to the corrected sentence.)</em> </p>Sat, 08 Jun 2013 10:45:00 GMThttp://www.slate.com/articles/briefing/cocktail_chatter/2013/06/big_brother_drowning_dangers_and_the_future_of_online_shopping_this_week.htmlMariana Zepeda2013-06-08T10:45:00ZThis week's most interesting <em>Slate </em>stories.briefingBig Brother, Drowning Dangers and the Future of Online Shopping: Interesting
<em><strong>Slate </strong></em>Stories100130608002cocktail chatterobamaMariana ZepedaCocktail Chatterhttp://www.slate.com/articles/briefing/cocktail_chatter/2013/06/big_brother_drowning_dangers_and_the_future_of_online_shopping_this_week.htmlfalsefalsefalseBig Brother, Drowning Dangers and the Future of Online Shopping: Interesting <em><strong>Slate </strong></em>StoriesBig Brother, Drowning Dangers and the Future of Online Shopping: Interesting <em><strong>Slate </strong></em>StoriesPhoto by Marion S. Trikosko/Library of CongressPortrait of J. Edgar Hoover